History of Donald Trump Jr. in Timeline
Donald John Trump Jr. is an American businessman and political activist. He gained notoriety as the eldest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump. Beyond his business ventures, he is an author and former television personality.
December 31, 1977: Birth of Donald Trump Jr.
Donald John Trump Jr. was born on December 31, 1977. He is the eldest child of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump.
2000: Graduation from the University of Pennsylvania
Donald Trump Jr. graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in 2000 with a B.S. in Economics.
2000: Move to Aspen and Return to Trump Organization
After graduating in 2000, Trump Jr. moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he spent a year before returning to New York to join the Trump Organization.
2003: Beginning of Relationship with Vanessa Haydon
Donald Trump Jr. began dating model Vanessa Kay Haydon in 2003. Their relationship reportedly began at the suggestion of Trump Jr.'s father.
November 12, 2005: Marriage to Vanessa Kay Haydon
On November 12, 2005, Donald Trump Jr. married model Vanessa Kay Haydon at his father's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The ceremony was officiated by Trump Jr.'s aunt, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry.
2006: Launch of Trump Mortgage and Appearance on "The Apprentice"
In 2006, Donald Trump Jr. helped launch Trump Mortgage, which later collapsed. He also began appearing as a guest adviser and judge on his father's reality TV show, "The Apprentice."
May 2007: Birth of Daughter Kai Madison
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon welcomed their first child, daughter Kai Madison, in May 2007.
2007: Donation to Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
In 2007, Donald Trump Jr. made a $4,000 donation to Hillary Clinton's campaign during her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
2008: Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike hit the US in 2008, causing significant flooding. An image of Anderson Cooper reporting during this hurricane was later used by Trump Jr. in 2018.
February 2009: Birth of Son Donald John III
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon welcomed their second child, son Donald John III, in February 2009.
2010: Spokesperson for Cambridge Who's Who
Donald Trump Jr. became a spokesperson and "executive director of global branding" for Cambridge Who's Who, a vanity publisher, in 2010.
2010: Big Game Hunting Trip
In 2010, Donald Trump Jr. went on a big game hunting expedition, reportedly in Zimbabwe, where he killed a leopard and other animals. Photographs from this trip later became a source of public controversy.
October 2011: Birth of Son Tristan Milos
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon welcomed their third child, son Tristan Milos, in October 2011.
2011: Controversial Remarks about Frederica Wilson
In 2011, Donald Trump Jr. responded to criticism from Florida Representative Frederica Wilson by mistaking her for California Representative Maxine Waters. He made inappropriate comments about Wilson's appearance, sparking controversy.
October 2012: Birth of Son Spencer Frederick
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon welcomed their fourth child, son Spencer Frederick, in October 2012.
2012: Controversy Erupts Over Hunting Photos
Photos of Donald Trump Jr. posing with big game hunting trophies from a 2010 trip sparked controversy in 2012. The images, circulated online, drew criticism from animal rights activists and led to calls for boycotts of Trump-related businesses.
June 2014: Birth of Daughter Chloe Sophia
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon welcomed their fifth child, daughter Chloe Sophia, in June 2014.
2015: Final Appearance on "The Apprentice"
Donald Trump Jr. continued to make appearances on his father's reality TV show, "The Apprentice," until his father's last season in 2015.
2015: Resurfacing of Hunting Photos
Photos from Donald Trump Jr.'s 2010 hunting trip resurfaced in 2015, reigniting the controversy and drawing renewed criticism from animal rights groups.
March 1, 2016: Controversial Interview with White Supremacist James Edwards
On March 1, 2016, an interview featuring Donald Trump Jr. and white supremacist James Edwards was aired. Initially denied by the campaign, Trump Jr. later claimed the interview was unintentional. This event sparked significant controversy, with media outlets accusing Trump Jr. of either aligning with white supremacist views or using them for political gain.
June 9, 2016: Trump Tower Meeting with Russian Lawyer
On June 9, 2016, Donald Trump Jr. participated in a meeting at Trump Tower with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, arranged by publicist Rob Goldstone, with the expectation of receiving compromising information about Hillary Clinton.
August 2016: Meeting with UAE and Saudi Arabian Emissary
Donald Trump Jr. attended a meeting in August 2016 with representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia who offered assistance to the Trump campaign.
September 2016: Use of Holocaust Imagery in Media Criticism and Pepe the Frog Incident
In September 2016, Donald Trump Jr. made controversial remarks criticizing media coverage of Hillary Clinton's campaign. He used Holocaust imagery, suggesting that if Republicans committed similar offenses, the media would be "warming up the gas chamber." Additionally, he shared an image on Instagram combining his father's face with Pepe the Frog, a meme associated with white supremacy. When questioned about Pepe the Frog, Trump Jr. claimed ignorance of its connotations.
2016: Trump Jr. Posts Image Associated with White Nationalism
Trump Jr. posted an image on Instagram in 2016 that included Pepe the Frog, a meme often used by white nationalist groups. He defended the post and dismissed criticism as "ridiculous".
2016: Controversial Skittles Analogy Regarding Syrian Refugees
During his father's presidential campaign in 2016, Donald Trump Jr. sparked controversy by sharing an image comparing Syrian refugees to Skittles. He suggested that if a bowl of Skittles contained a few deadly candies, people would hesitate to take a handful, drawing a parallel to the Syrian refugee situation. This analogy was widely condemned for dehumanizing refugees. The makers of Skittles criticized the comparison, emphasizing the difference between candy and human lives.
2016: WikiLeaks Solicits Trump Jr.'s Cooperation During Election
In 2016, leaked correspondence revealed that WikiLeaks actively sought the cooperation of Donald Trump Jr., who was a campaign surrogate and advisor for his father's presidential campaign. WikiLeaks urged the Trump campaign to reject the election results if they lost and asked Trump Jr. to spread a false claim about Hillary Clinton.
2016: Correspondence with Julian Assange During Election
Donald Trump Jr. engaged in correspondence with Julian Assange through the WikiLeaks Twitter account during the 2016 presidential election, later providing these messages to congressional investigators.
2016: Active Role in 2016 Presidential Campaign
Donald Trump Jr. played an active role in his father's 2016 presidential campaign, during which he cooperated with Russia's interference and attended a meeting with a Russian lawyer promising damaging information about Hillary Clinton.
2016: Central Role in 2016 Presidential Campaign and Speech at RNC
Donald Trump Jr. played a key role in his father's 2016 presidential campaign, acting as a close political adviser. He also delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention alongside his siblings.
2016: Influence on Cabinet Appointment
Following his father's victory in the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. played a role in the selection of Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Interior.
January 11, 2017: Oversight of Trump Organization Trust
On January 11, 2017, it was announced that Donald Trump Jr. and his brother Eric would oversee a trust containing the Trump Organization's assets during their father's presidency to avoid conflicts of interest.
March 2017: Criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan Following Westminster Attack
Following the 2017 Westminster attack in London, Donald Trump Jr. publicly criticized Mayor Sadiq Khan. This criticism sparked backlash from British lawmakers, with accusations that Trump Jr. had misrepresented Khan's words. Khan himself chose not to engage in a back-and-forth, stating that he had more pressing matters to attend to.
April 2017: Campaign Support for Greg Gianforte and Meeting with RNC Officials
In April 2017, Donald Trump Jr. showed his support by campaigning for Montana congressional candidate Greg Gianforte. Additionally, in May of the same year, he met with Republican National Committee officials to discuss strategies and resource allocation for the party.
April 2017: Praise for Conspiracy Theorist Mike Cernovich
In April 2017, Donald Trump Jr. expressed praise for Mike Cernovich, a known conspiracy theorist who has promoted debunked and harmful theories, including white genocide and Pizzagate. This endorsement drew criticism due to Cernovich's history of spreading misinformation and inflammatory content.
May 2017: Promotion of Conspiracy Theory Linking Bill Clinton to Vince Foster's Death
In May 2017, Donald Trump Jr. publicly promoted a debunked conspiracy theory connecting former President Bill Clinton to Vince Foster's death. This promotion of a baseless theory raised concerns about the spread of misinformation. He revisited this conspiracy theory again in November, further fueling speculation and unfounded claims.
July 8, 2017: Release of Email Exchange with Rob Goldstone
On July 8, 2017, Donald Trump Jr. publicly released his email correspondence with Rob Goldstone, revealing his agreement to attend the June 9 meeting to obtain damaging information about Hillary Clinton.
September 2017: Request for Removal of Secret Service Protection
In September 2017, Donald Trump Jr. made a request to have his Secret Service detail removed, citing a desire for increased privacy. This decision, following a similar one by another presidential child, drew criticism from former Secret Service agents. His protection was later reinstated.
October 31, 2017: Trump Jr. Makes Controversial Joke About Socialism
On October 31, 2017, Trump Jr. tweeted about taking away some of his daughter's Halloween candy to teach her about socialism, a joke that sparked criticism and debate online.
November 7, 2017: Trump Jr. Tweets Incorrect Voting Information
Trump Jr. mistakenly encouraged Virginia voters to vote on November 7, 2017, a day after the gubernatorial election had already taken place.
November 2017: Correspondence with Julian Assange Revealed
In November 2017, it was revealed that Donald Trump Jr. had exchanged messages with Julian Assange via the WikiLeaks Twitter account during the 2016 presidential election.
2017: Described as "Not the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer"
The Atlantic reported in 2019 that in 2017, Donald Trump had referred to his son, Donald Trump Jr., as "not the sharpest knife in the drawer."
2017: Prairie Dog Hunting with Greg Gianforte
On Earth Day in 2017, Donald Trump Jr. participated in a prairie dog hunt in Montana with Greg Gianforte, then a GOP Congressional candidate. The event was met with mixed reactions, with some defending it as a common practice in the region and others criticizing it as environmentally insensitive.
2017: Trump Inauguration and Allegations of Financial Misconduct
In 2017, Donald Trump Jr. was involved in the organization of his father's presidential inauguration. Allegations later surfaced regarding potential financial misconduct related to the event, specifically concerning payments made for the use of the Trump Hotel in Washington D.C.
February 2018: Engagement with Conspiracy Theory Regarding Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting Survivors
In February 2018, Donald Trump Jr. liked tweets promoting a conspiracy theory alleging that survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting were coached to spread anti-Trump sentiments. This engagement with a baseless and insensitive theory drew widespread condemnation.
February 2018: Controversial Advertisements in India
In February 2018, advertisements in Indian newspapers promoting a deal offering dinner with Donald Trump Jr. to purchasers of Trump Organization apartments drew criticism for ethical concerns.
March 15, 2018: Announcement of Separation from Vanessa Haydon
On March 15, 2018, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon announced their separation. Vanessa Haydon subsequently filed for divorce, which was initially reported as uncontested but later revealed to be contested.
May 2018: Retweeting False and Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory About George Soros
In May 2018, Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a series of tweets containing a false and antisemitic conspiracy theory about George Soros, a Jewish Hungarian-American businessman and philanthropist. These tweets originated from Roseanne Barr, whose TV show was subsequently canceled due to her history of offensive social media posts. The tweets made baseless claims about Soros's past, which were swiftly refuted by a spokesperson for Soros, who provided accurate historical context.
June 2018: Liking Tweet Suggesting Migrant Children Separation Was Staged
In June 2018, amidst the controversy surrounding the Trump administration's family separation policy, Donald Trump Jr. liked a tweet suggesting that the migrant children separated from their parents at the border were actors. This action was widely condemned for its insensitivity and dismissal of the real trauma experienced by these families.
August 2018: Sharing Doctored Image Inflating President Trump's Approval Rating
In August 2018, Donald Trump Jr. shared a doctored image on Instagram that falsely inflated President Trump's approval rating. The image, which originated from a CNN report but was altered to show a higher percentage, was deleted by Trump Jr. two days later.
September 2018: Trump Jr. Promotes Conspiracy Theory About Hurricane Florence Coverage
In September 2018, Trump Jr. shared a picture of Anderson Cooper in floodwaters from Hurricane Ike in 2008, falsely claiming it was from Hurricane Florence and accusing CNN of lying to make his father look bad.
2018: Beginning of Relationship with Kimberly Guilfoyle
Donald Trump Jr. started dating Kimberly Guilfoyle, a conservative political commentator and former Fox News host, in 2018. They were already acquainted through mutual connections within political circles.
2018: Campaigning for Republicans in 2018 Midterm Elections
Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for several Republican candidates during the 2018 midterm elections.
2018: Active Campaigning for Republican Candidates in Midterm Elections
Donald Trump Jr. actively campaigned for Republican candidates during the 2018 midterm elections. He was highly involved, raising millions of dollars and drawing large crowds to campaign events. His efforts are believed to have contributed to Republican victories.
February 22, 2019: Finalization of Divorce from Vanessa Haydon
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Kay Haydon finalized their divorce in late 2018, as announced on February 22, 2019. The details of the settlement remained private.
June 2019: Criminal Referral to Federal Prosecutors
In June 2019, the Senate Intelligence Committee made a criminal referral of Donald Trump Jr. to federal prosecutors, suspecting he had provided misleading testimony.
July 2019: Appearance at Far-Right "We Build the Wall" Event
In July 2019, Donald Trump Jr. attended a "We Build the Wall" event organized by far-right groups. His presence at the event, alongside figures like Jack Posobiec, raised concerns about his association with extremist elements and drew criticism.
November 2019: Trump Jr. Publicly Names Alleged Whistleblower
Trump Jr. shared the alleged name of the whistleblower in the Trump-Ukraine scandal in November 2019, a move that raised concerns about whistleblower protection and the validity of the information.
December 11, 2019: Controversial Argali Sheep Hunt in Mongolia
On December 11, 2019, it was revealed that Donald Trump Jr. had gone on a hunting trip in Mongolia, during which he killed an endangered Argali sheep. The Mongolian government's retroactive granting of a hunting permit and the cost of U.S. Secret Service protection for the trip drew criticism and scrutiny.
2019: Publication of "Triggered"
In 2019, Donald Trump Jr. authored and published his first book, "Triggered."
2019: Release of "Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us"
In 2019, Donald Trump Jr. published "Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us," a book criticizing political correctness and accusing the American left of having a victimhood complex. The book sparked controversy for its claims and writing style.
2019: Renewed Criticism Over Hunting Photos
The controversy surrounding Donald Trump Jr.'s 2010 hunting trip was reignited once more in 2019 when the photos were recirculated online. The images continued to draw condemnation from those opposed to trophy hunting.
2019: Public Persona as Right-Wing Provocateur
By 2019, Donald Trump Jr. had cultivated a public image as a right-wing provocateur and staunch defender of Trumpism, as reported by The Washington Post.
February 2020: Fundraising Auction for Hunting Trip in Alaska
In February 2020, Donald Trump Jr. agreed to go on a hunting trip to Alaska with the winner of a fundraising auction held by the Safari Club International. The auction drew criticism from those opposed to trophy hunting and raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest.
May 2020: Trump Jr. Makes False Accusation Against Joe Biden
Trump Jr. falsely accused Joe Biden of being a pedophile in May 2020.
June 2020: Trump Jr. Criticizes Liberals Over COVID-19 Restrictions and Protests
During the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, Trump Jr. accused liberals of hypocrisy, criticizing them for imposing restrictions on businesses while supporting protests for transgender rights.
July 2020: Trump Jr. Restricted by Twitter for COVID-19 Misinformation
Trump Jr. was temporarily restricted on Twitter in July 2020 for sharing misleading information about COVID-19, including promoting hydroxychloroquine as a cure and downplaying the importance of masks.
August 2020: Trump Jr. Spreads Misinformation About Voter Fraud in Michigan
Trump Jr. shared an article containing misinformation about voter fraud in Michigan in August 2020, alleging that dead people had voted. The article was debunked, as the voters died after submitting ballots.
August 2020: Appearance at Far-Right "We Build the Wall" Event
In August 2020, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported on Donald Trump Jr.'s appearance at a far-right event called "We Build the Wall" in July 2019. The event featured individuals associated with extremist ideologies, including neo-Nazi collaborator Jack Posobiec. Trump Jr.'s participation drew criticism and raised concerns about his association with far-right figures.
September 2020: Trump Jr. Makes False Claims of Election Fraud
In September 2020, Trump Jr. made more claims about potential election fraud, alleging a plan to add fraudulent ballots to overturn the election. Social media platforms labeled his claims as misinformation.
October 2020: Speculation About Potential Senate Run and Indoor Rally Amidst Pandemic
In October 2020, there was speculation about Donald Trump Jr. potentially running for the vacant Pennsylvania Senate seat in the 2022 election. This followed incumbent Pat Toomey's announcement that he wouldn't seek re-election. During the same month, Trump Jr. held a crowded indoor rally where attendees disregarded public health guidelines by not wearing masks, raising concerns during the pandemic.
October 2020: Speculation Surrounding a Potential 2024 Presidential Run
Speculation arose around Donald Trump Jr.'s potential presidential bid for 2024, fueled by an Instagram post in October 2020 featuring a "Don Jr. 2024" flag.
October 28, 2020: RNC's Bulk Purchase of "Liberal Privilege"
On October 28, 2020, the Republican National Committee (RNC) used over $300,000 of donor funds to buy bulk copies of "Liberal Privilege" from Pursuit Venture LLC, a company owned by Donald Trump Jr. The purchase, categorized as "donor mementos," raised concerns about the use of campaign finances.
October 29, 2020: Trump Jr. Downplays Severity of COVID-19 Pandemic
On October 29, 2020, Trump Jr. downplayed the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that deaths were "almost nothing", despite the US recording approximately 1,000 deaths on that day.
November 2020: Trump Jr. Advocates for "Total War" to Contest Election Results
Following the 2020 election, Trump Jr. actively participated in his father's efforts to challenge the results. In November 2020, he called for "total war" rather than accepting the ongoing vote count.
November 2020: Trump Jr. Suggests COVID-19 Vaccine Timing Was Politically Motivated
When Pfizer announced a COVID-19 vaccine in November 2020, Trump Jr. suggested the timing was intended to hurt his father's election chances, a claim denied by Pfizer.
2020: Self-Publication of "Liberal Privilege: Joe Biden and the Democrats' Defense of the Indefensible"
Donald Trump Jr. self-published "Liberal Privilege: Joe Biden and the Democrats' Defense of the Indefensible" in 2020. The book criticizes Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. Trump Jr. stated he aimed to expose what he perceived as media bias against his father's administration.
2020: Active Role in 2020 Presidential Campaign
Donald Trump Jr. actively participated in his father's 2020 presidential campaign, making frequent appearances and promoting unsubstantiated claims. After the election, he was involved in attempts to overturn the results and spoke at the rally that preceded the Capitol storming.
December 31, 2020: Engagement to Kimberly Guilfoyle
Donald Trump Jr. reportedly proposed to Kimberly Guilfoyle on December 31, 2020. However, the news of their engagement was not publicly confirmed until January 2022.
2020: Publication of "Liberal Privilege"
Donald Trump Jr. authored and published his second book, "Liberal Privilege," in 2020.
January 6, 2021: Trump Jr. Addresses Crowd Before Capitol Attack
Trump Jr., along with his father and others, addressed a crowd on January 6, 2021, before the attack on the US Capitol. He made threatening remarks towards GOP lawmakers who were hesitant to overturn the election.
January 8, 2021: Trump Jr. Claims Free Speech "No Longer Exists" After Twitter Ban
Following his father's permanent ban from Twitter on January 8, 2021, Trump Jr. claimed that free speech was dead in America, despite facing calls for his arrest due to his role in the January 6th events.
January 11, 2021: Trump Jr. Named as Person of Interest in Capitol Attack Investigation
On January 11, 2021, Donald Trump Jr. was designated as a person of interest in the criminal investigation into the Capitol attack. The DC attorney general considered charging him with inciting the violence.
January 14, 2021: Person of Interest in Criminal Investigation
On January 14, 2021, it was revealed that Donald Trump Jr. was a person of interest in the criminal investigation into the misuse of his father's inaugural funds in Washington D.C. Prosecutors aimed to interview him regarding his role in the alleged overpayment for event space at the Trump Hotel during the 2017 inauguration.
January 2021: Trump Jr. Outlines Plans to Control Electoral College Process
In his text messages to Mark Meadows, Trump Jr. suggested that they had multiple ways to control the Electoral College process and ensure a second term for his father, even though Biden had not yet been declared the winner.
January 2021: Investigation into January 6th Capitol Attack
In January 2021, Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Karl Racine, investigated Donald Trump Jr.'s potential role in inciting the January 6th Capitol attack.
March 5, 2021: Trump Jr. Faces Civil Lawsuit for Role in Capitol Riot
Representative Eric Swalwell filed a civil lawsuit against Trump Jr. and others on March 5, 2021, seeking damages for their alleged involvement in inciting the Capitol riot.
December 2021: Change of Residency to Florida
Donald Trump Jr. officially switched his residency from New York to Florida in December 2021.
December 2021: Trump Jr.'s Texts Reveal Pleas to Stop Capitol Attack
Text messages released in December 2021 showed that Trump Jr. had pleaded with Mark Meadows to convince his father to call off the attack on the Capitol, contradicting his previous public statements.
January 2022: Public Announcement of Engagement to Kimberly Guilfoyle
The engagement of Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle was publicly revealed in January 2022, following a period of private celebration.
February 2022: Trump Jr. Amplifies Russian Propaganda About Biological Weapons
Trump Jr. shared unsubstantiated claims originating from Russian state sources in February 2022, alleging the US and Ukraine were developing biological weapons.
April 2022: Text Message to Mark Meadows Revealed
In April 2022, CNN reported that Donald Trump Jr. had sent a text message to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows two days after the 2020 presidential election outlining strategies to overturn the election results.
April 2022: Trump Jr.'s Text Messages Reveal Plans to Overturn Election
Text messages revealed in April 2022 showed that Trump Jr. had messaged Mark Meadows two days after the election outlining strategies to overturn the results and secure a second term for his father.
2022: Potential Senate Run
In 2022, there was speculation about a potential Senate run for Donald Trump Jr. after Pat Toomey's announcement of not seeking re-election created a vacancy for the Pennsylvania Senate seat.
2023: Launch of "Triggered with Don Jr" Podcast
Donald Trump Jr. launched his podcast, "Triggered with Don Jr," on the Rumble platform in 2023.
February 16, 2024: Barred from Serving as Officer or Director in New York Corporations
On February 16, 2024, a ruling prohibited Donald Trump Jr. from holding officer or director positions in New York corporations, including the Trump Organization, for a period of two years.
2024: Potential Presidential Run
Donald Trump Jr.'s potential candidacy for president in 2024 became a topic of speculation.